Thematic Unit Planning in Social Studies: Make It Focused and Meaningful

Horton, Todd A.; Barnett, Jennifer A.

Canadian Social Studies, v41 n1 Fall 2008

Unit planning is perhaps the most difficult of the teacher duties to execute well. This paper offers suggestions for improving focus and increasing the meaningfulness of thematic unit content for students. Stressing the concept of a Big Understanding, it outlines 6 sequential steps in the creation of units which, when applied, not only establish a purpose for the study of the material, but also foster the growth of citizens who are self-­actualized, learned, contributing members of a global society.